Sunday, March 31, 2013

The current average monthly household income of Malaysians at about
RM5,000 compared to RM4,025 in 2009, is one of the initial fruits of the
Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).
Political analysts on the whole are of the opinion that the GTP and ETP
are not just mere slogans because the implementation report data has
proven the programmes' success in raising the household income of
Malaysians.
According to the 2012 GTP and ETP achievement report and the progress report card tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak recently, the two initiatives have started to show significant improvements in the well-being of the people.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Social Science Faculty senior lecturer Dr Jeniri Amir
said the government's move in enhancing the GTP and ETP programmes was a
brilliant and timely step for the country towards achieving developed
nation and high-income status.
"Compared to five years ago the
increase is very significant, whereby civil servants' salaries have been
raised and we also have a minimum salary for the private sector. Indeed
such transformation is necessary to put the nation on track towards
becoming a developed country, towards Vision 2020," he told Bernama.
He said Malaysia recorded a high growth rate of 5.6 percent despite uncertainties in the global economic environment.
Strong economic growth continued to generate employment opportunities
and drive various economic activities which led to the increase of
income for Malaysians, he added.
"Generally, people's standard of living and purchasing power have been on the rise during the last four years.
He said, the government under Najib's leadership has succeeded in
distributing additional national revenue to the people more equitably
according to the needs of the sectors such as education and
infrastructure, including water supply, electricity and roads, to raise
their standard of living.
Referring to Sabah and Sarawak, Dr
Jeniri, who hails from Sarawak, said many areas in both states have seen
progress, especially in urban areas such as Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
However,
he said the government should place greater emphasis and take measures
to reduce inflation rates in the two states, which were escalating due
to indiscriminate hikes in prices of goods by certain parties.
"I think Sabahans and Sarawakians will enjoy even better living
standards if this problem is curbed with tighter regulation and
penalties," said Dr Jeniri.
Commenting on the opposition promise
to raise household income to RM4,000 a month in five years, he said it
was nothing special as the Barisan Nasional government has almost
achieved the level.
The government has also realised the People
First, Performance Now policy with various assistance such as the
1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M), RM100 school assistance, 1Malaysia Book
Voucher as well as the 1Malaysia Tyre Aid programmes, he elaborated.
Universiti Sains Malaysia, School of Social Sciences, associate professor of criminology Dr P. Sundramoorthy
said, all the government initiatives and various financial support were
timely and relevant to ease the burden of the rising cost of living.
"It is a progressive move taken by the government, especially for the lower income group.
He welcomed the government announcement that BR1M would be carried out
annually as an initiative to help this group and as proof of the
government's commitment to help the poor, adding that the initiative
should be sustained in the future regardless of the political landscape.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

HOUSEHOLD INCOME UP: Survey shows country has achieved its poverty reduction target three years before 2015 deadline

PUTRAJAYA: THE poverty levels among Bumiputeras, Chinese and Indians
have gone down and their incomes have increased in the past three
years.
This had led to the government achieving its 10th Malaysia Plan target
of reducing overall poverty to two per cent, three years earlier than
its projected 2015 deadline, said Minister in the Prime Minister's
Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop when announcing the results of the
Household Income Survey 2012, here yesterday.
He said the survey concluded that Bumiputeras saw a decline in poverty
levels from 5.3 per cent in 2009 to 2.2 per cent last year.
Poverty among the Chinese reduced from 0.6 per cent in 2009 to 0.3 per
cent last year, while poverty among Indians went down from 2.5 per cent
to 1.8 per cent in the corresponding period.
"The average Bumiputera household income also grew by 6.9 per cent per
annum to RM4,457 per month, whereas Chinese and Indian households
increased by eight and nine per cent annually to RM6,355 and RM5,233,
respectively."
The survey, he said, also showed that urban poverty had declined from
1.7 per cent in 2009 to one per cent last year, whereas poverty in rural
areas also declined from 8.4 per cent to 3.4 per cent in the same
period.
Overall poverty has been reduced from 3.8 per cent in 2009 to 1.7 per cent last year.
The poorest households category has also undergone a 52.7 per cent decrease from 228,400 to 108,000 within the same period.
Nor Mohamed also noted that Malaysian households now took home 7.2 per cent more income than three years ago.
The national average household income increased from RM4,045 in 2009 to
RM5,000 last year, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib
Razak at the tabling of the National Transformation Programme Annual
Report last week.
Nor Mohamed said the significant rise was due to the Federal
Government's efforts in ensuring exponential and sustainable growth.
"This is a result of the rapid growth of the national economy and the effectiveness of the poverty eradication programme."
Urban households income, meanwhile, recorded a 6.6 per cent increase from RM4,705 monthly in 2009 to RM5,742 last year.
Households in rural areas had shown a similar increase with a 6.4 per cent rise from RM2,545 in 2009 to RM3,080 in 2012.
Nor Mohamed said the government viewed this as an achievement in
encouraging the building of a robust economic roadmap for city areas
that housed two-thirds (71 per cent) of the national population.
"The significant impact comes from widely increased economic
opportunities, but is also an opportunity to generate new business and
industrial development in various sectors of the economy.
"This proves the effectiveness of the implementation of the Federal
Government initiatives launched through specific programmes under the
10th Malaysia Plan, Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), and the
National Key Results Area (NKRA)."
The survey, conducted among 44,000 households, is conducted twice every
five years. The data gathered is used for the purpose of monitoring,
planning, and policy formulation and programme development, particularly
in drafting the country's five-year plans.

Malaysian opposition is famous with various 'expertise'. From religious
'expert', economic 'expert', to defense 'expert'. Sadly, their 'experts;
often make ridiculous statements.
For example, responding to Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat, PR made a few
statements from their math 'experts' which estimated 700,000 attendance
at the stadium with capacity of 30,000 people including the stadium
compound which covers road as far as around 1.5km. Statement from the
'expert' somewhat became a joke because it was ridiculous, especially
when pictures shown by PR seemed edited.
Now, PR has once again featured another 'expert, their constitutional
expert, Prof. Aziz Bari who touched on the caretaker government issue.
He responded on the issue of the dissolution of DUN Negeri Sembilan
yesterday, and said that the state is not being led by an illegal
government.
We cannot understand why the issue of automatic DUN dissolution as well
as caretaker government should be used as PR's political capital. Just
what do they hope to get from there?
Even if DUN is dissolved and the caretaker government is considered as
illegal, that does not give them the rights to take themselves as the
state government.
Actually, there is no such thing as 'illegal government' after DUN is
dissolved. Government only becomes illegal when it is appointed
illegally, they include overthrowing the current government through the
backdoor, without going through any legal process and declare themselves
as the leader of country. This is what PR has been trying to do all
these while through their street demonstrations by attempting to bring
the spirit of Arab Spring.
According to international term, caretaker government is a practice
taken by countries which practices the Common Law. It is practiced in
Britain as a democratic parliament country which is a reference for
Commonwealth Countries.
Thus, the term caretaker government does exist where government that
operates in the interim period between the normal dissolution of
parliament for the purpose of holding an election and the formation of a
new government after the election results are known.
Caretaker government is not simply appointed but it has to go through
appointment process following the constitution, through the previous
election. Without caretaker government, how can a state or a country
function and maintain in control during the whole period.
Is PR too crazy for chaos that they hope that during this period, they
wish to consider that there is no government so that they can do
anything they like without having anyone stopping them? Does Prof. Aziz
Bari hope that after the dissolution, army and police would 'surrender
their weapon' so that the opposition can do anything as they wish
because there is no government?
This is obviously ridiculous, to leave the country without any leader
even though for a short period of time. That is why having caretaker
government is important.
However, other than holding the responsibility to ensure that the
country or state remain under control including ensuring that anything
that is approved can be implemented, including routine administration
such as civil servants' salary, caretaker government cannot make any
changes such as announcing new policies or approving budget for new
projects or even withdrawing any results which has been made prior to
that.
In this period, there is no new appointments made for any of government
segments, for example, judges, department chiefs and other institutions.
What is more important is that the power of substantive Parliament stops
after dissolved, so everyone should be aware to avoid themselves from
violating Elections Act 1954 and provisions of the 1954 Act in terms of
help or influence the candidates contesting in the upcoming election.
In a way, caretaker government is a necessity, and PR's actions in
considering that it is illegal only shows that they are running out of
issues to play with.
It is clear, there is no issue on this Caretaker Government like how
Prof. Aziz Bari is 'worried' about. Perhaps he missed the class when the
chapter of 'Caretaker Government' was taught.

One wonders why parties in the opposition pact are making hell of big
noise whenever Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak dishes out aid and meet
people according to their groupings, they make noise and cry foul.
They claim Najib’s outreach programmes smack politics and whatever
Najib’s speaks, to the opposition pact is Najib trying to win the
people’s hearts and minds.
To them Najib is campaigning and Najib is desperate, to them Najib is under pressure and Najib is losing influence.
Put it this way…leaders of the opposition pact are actually in a
dreamland, a make-believed land, made by Anwar Ibrahim whose wandering
mind goes beyond the reality of earth and even the many galaxies.
To them Anwar has done what they wanted – create doubts among the Malays
towards the Malay institutions including the police, armed forces and
even Malay corporates, split the Malays and steer their minds to
wilderness, create animosity among the Malays and many more including
the one as reported in the Philippines that involved the recent Lahad
Datu incursion.
In fact, Anwar has done many things that even the nearly 60-year old PAS
and DAP had not dare to do – all due to his personal obsession to
become the Prime Minister of wealthy and peaceful Malaysia.
And leaders of DAP and PAS, as for now, just ‘butter’ Anwar to do more
because the DAP and PAS will benefit more and Anwar…well…just wait what
happens when the general election is over.
In the meantime, while Anwar is creating whatever needed to be done to
destablise and divide the harmonious Malaysians – leaders of the pact
just hit on Najib in whatever he does – just hit even if all he does is
for the good of the people including they themselves.
The aim is to further add strength to Anwar’s work – with the hope that
fence sitters or those doubtful of Anwar’s line can be further influence
to tilt on their side.
But they still cannot get the kind of support and influence they
wanted…the kind they got before and ruing the 2008 general election.
They are frustrated and they are desperate – the Lahad Datu incursion
pulled away the armed forces and police support, the proposed tunnel
project in Penang further erode their support and lately, even Nik Aziz
Nik Mat, PAS spiritual chief has lost many support and facing erosion of
confidence from the party members.
That is why Najib’s every move is questioned, ridiculed and even accused
– one can read that as desperate moves since Anwar’s credibility is
going down the drain and leaders of DAP and PAS do not even trust Anwar
as a person.
One wonder what else these desperados will do as the general election nears.

In a development that comes as a big embarrassment to Penang Chief
Minister Lim Guan Eng, the state's 2013 Budget has a huge deficit of
RM262 million.
He tried to put a brave face on the fiscal deficit, which represents a
staggering 26.9 per cent of the annual budget of RM970.56.
Guan Eng claimed that the deficit would be "covered by the state
consolidated fund balance amounting to RM710.81 million as at the end of
2011."
So in effect the Chief Minister is spending the state's reserves on running a deficit. So much for fiscal prudence, Guan Eng.
As in all other areas, DAP clearly demands fiscal prudence from
everybody else, except when it concerns its own state government in
Penang.
The 2013 Budget has been optimistically labelled as 'Equitable
Economic Agenda', with DAP claiming it will ensure the well-being of the
state's people.
Under this budget, the Penang government hopes to eradicate poverty
by raising the incomes of the 2,000 households below the poverty line to
RM770 a year. This programme would involve an expenditure of RM20
million every year.
However, Teluk Bahang assemblyman Datuk Seri Helmi Yahaya pointed out
that this was not the right approach to helping poor people improve
their standard of living.
"The state government should think of another mechanism that is more
proactive to spur economic growth and to raise the people's productivity
level.
"If the proposed policy is carried out, the people will continue to
be dependent on the government and the poverty problem will never be
solved," Helmi said.
With GE 13 looming, Guan Eng tried to attract all groups through his
Budget. To attract women voters, he allocated RM2.3 million for women's
development and welfare and RM3 million for free mammogram check-ups for
women.
The state has allocated a surprisingly high RM46.42 million for
religious purposes, including the upgrading and development of mosques,
suraus and public religious schools.
But in the controversial area of housing, the state government
allocated a mere RM50 million for its Housing Assistance Programme of
Penang, which is not likely to improve the lack of affordable housing in
the state.
All in all, Penang's 2013 Budget is an election Budget. The DAP-led
state government has tried to pander to all groups, but has left a huge
fiscal hole instead.
Guan Eng has once again paid lip service to fiscal prudence. What
matters to him most is votes, even if these come at a heavy cost to the
state exchequer.
The bill will, of course, be left for the people of Penang and the next state government to deal with.

The current scenario shows most information being spread through
communication media are quite open and free. The freedom somehow harms
credibility and integrity of individuals which needs to be protected. Or
perhaps this could lead to the expose on the weakness of this country's
defense system, which really needs to be protected.
Despite that, many can still be easily influenced with accusations
thrown by the opposition claiming that this country has failed in really
providing freedom towards media practitioners.
They even mentioned in their 'Manifesto Is Not Promise' which was
presented recently saying that they would respect media practitioners as
they conduct their strategies the media industry so that it would be
free, without any intervention from the government.
However, according to J.C Merrill from his book,'Global Journalism,
1977, stated that in reality, freedom of media and communication is
something that is too ideal that not even a single country in the world
really practice such freedom.
However, Press Freedom Index (PFI) 2011-2012 which was published by
Reporters Without Borders recorded Malaysia at 122th, showing
improvement compared to PFI 2010 where Malaysia was at 144th. In this
recent PFI, Malaysia leads the Southeast Asia region with Singapore at
135th, Thailand (137), Philippine (140) and Indonesia (146).
Perhaps some might ask what does that improvement in the index published
by Reporters Without Borders mean? The answer, this index is not that
important. But it tells the world about the level of freedom of media
for this country. This denies the claim saying that Malaysia has no
freedom of media at all. That is it.
If there is no freedom of media, how can there be hundreds of news
portals, blogs and opposition newspapers published in this country? Most
of them don't just criticize the government, they even publish false
news. How can they say this country does not give freedom of media?
Harakah for example, has never publish any reports or analysis about
rakyat's development, the same thing goes to Suara Keadilan, portals
Malaysiakini and Malaysian Insider. If we are to follow the definition,
Harakah and Suara Keadilan are not newspapers, instead, they are
bulletins which expresses the voice of the party. How many really do
understand this definition?
The evidence, Harakah and Suara Keadilan is said to be more transparent
as they criticize the government's policies. Does transparency mean that
they should keep on criticizing the government? When mainstream media
criticize the opposition's policies, they would claim that there is no
freedom of media.
The ironic part of this is that despite of their shouts on freedom of
media, the opposition's the one which suppresses reporters and impose
various limitations for the media. Proof? Who sues the media the most if
it's none other than Anwar Ibrahim.
True, they do have the rights to take legal actions, but doesn't it go
against the principal of freedom of media which they themselves have
been talking about all these while
And which side is the one often block reporters from attending their
events? Just look at the entrance at PKR's office which clearly noted
that it does not allow newspaper Utusan Malaysia and television station
TV3 from attending any of their programs and press conference.
Isn't that blocking freedom of media? It seems like Anwar's goons only
know how to talk! If this is how things go, Malaysia will be ruined if
opposition coalition takes over the government.

PENANG GOVT THINKS IT KNOWS BEST: NGO says people are afraid to speak or voice objections for fear of upsetting CM

GEORGE TOWN: THE normally cool and calm S.M. Mohamed Idris has finally
snapped and the cause of his displeasure is none other than the Penang
government, namely Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Mohamed Idris said Lim's style of governance had turned Penang into a
place where an "atmosphere of intolerance" prevailed and people were
afraid to speak and voice their objections for fear of upsetting him.
He said it had come to a situation where the state government thought
it was more knowledgeable than anyone else and should not be questioned
now that they had been chosen by the people.
The veteran non-governmental organisation leader said he had heard from
people, including his own friends, that they would rather not make
comments or take part in press conferences organised to raise issues
against the administration.
"Freedom of opinion, to debate and criticise is important in a
democracy, but the chief minister does not seem to like that. I do not
know what his position is.
"People are scared. We cannot work in this atmosphere of intolerance.
People are being attacked ... if you are not with me, you are against
me. I think this is the very unfortunate situation we have here," he
said yesterday.
Mohamed Idris had gathered the media at his office at the Consumers'
Association of Penang, off Jalan Masjid Negeri here, to respond to an
open letter to CAP by Lim last week in relation to the NGO's strong
objections against the proposed RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel and
highway projects.
Replying with his own open letter to Lim, Mohamed Idris said he was
angry because Lim's letter had accused CAP of being selective in its
criticism and also implied that the organisation was aligned with
Barisan Nasional.
"I do not need power. I am not seeking political power or any reward
... or any name-calling!" he said while banging his fist on the table
several times.
"Use reasoning to argue and not put labels on people. That is the worst
part of it ... no substance," he said, adding that it was highly
irresponsible and unethical for Lim to accuse CAP of such.
"We can understand that you (Lim) are under pressure and mounting
tension with the elections coming closer, but you must be careful with
your comments and not make wild allegations.
"That is what marks a statesman from a quarrelsome politician.
"Are you taking the people to be fools? If people say anything
(critical against the administration), then they are BN. Nonsense!"
Reading out his letter, Mohamed Idris said CAP had opposed the BN
administration when it wanted to build Komtar, the first Penang Bridge,
allow Penang Hill to be developed by a private developer and the Bakun
Dam project in Sarawak.
He said CAP also criticised the previous Gerakan-led state government
over land reclamation in Seri Tanjung Pinang in Tanjung Tokong.
"Interestingly, a BN politician recently accused CAP of being aligned
to Pakatan Rakyat to bring down BN. By perceiving constructive criticism
from civil society through a party's lens, some politicians display
their intolerance and ignorance of democracy."
In his letter, Mohamed Idris also informed the state government that he
would not accept a personal invitation to a meeting to discuss the
concerns of CAP and his other NGO, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, about the
projects as "in our culture, we do not invite people to meetings through
open letters".
"In any case, a meeting will be futile and not serve any purpose since,
according to press reports, the state government has already awarded
the project to a private company, despite opposition from many NGOs."
He also appealed to the state government to reconsider the
multi-billion ringgit projects and look instead at short-term measures
like an efficient shuttle service to reduce traffic jams while working
on long-term solutions that would need radical changes in the economic
model, town planning and consumption pattern.
He said the state's difficulties with the Federal Government in efforts
to improve the public transport system did not justify embarking on the
expensive tunnel and highways without understanding long-term
implications or convincing evidence that the projects would solve the
island's traffic woes.
"The fundamental question is whether Penang needs the tunnel and what
feasibility and cost-benefit studies have been done to support the
decision to build it.
"You (Lim) announced the signing of the MoU (memorandum of
understanding) for the four major roads with Chinese companies (in April
2011) even before consultants began work on the Transport Master Plan
(TMP). On what basis was this decision taken?"
When asked if he would go all out to fight the state government,
Mohamed Idris said he would fight all governments, even international
ones, if they were doing something that was not in the long-term
interests of the people.
In Lim's letter, dated March 21, he said the state government had
openly engaged with the public and civil society since the projects were
mooted in 2011, during the open tender process and until the tender was
awarded to the company that won the bid this year.
He also criticised CAP for failing to acknowledge the efforts by the
state government to make public transport the mode of choice for
Penangites and for not questioning the Federal Government for rejecting
the state's offer to pay it RM10 million a year for free bus services
here.
In Malacca, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam criticised Lim's plans to impose toll on motorists who used the tunnel.
"Lim has always pressured the government to get rid of toll charges,
but now he appears to be doing an about-turn by deciding to charge toll
for the under-ground tunnel.
"This is the action of a hypocrite. Their manifesto claims that tolls
implemented by the BN government would be abolished should they come
into power, but it seems that at the slightest chance, they, too, are
willing to have tolls."
Ali added that Malaysians should not be easily taken in by the
opposition's empty promises, as it was clear that they did not take
their manifesto seriously.
He also pointed out that Lim's insistence on proceeding with the
projects despite repeated protests and concerns voiced by the public
showed just how arrogant and self-centred the DAP secretary-general had
become.

Friday, March 29, 2013

This article could be that short, but that might caused the DAP members to miss the points.

The point is, one must be very racist, irrational or insane to continue
supporting a party that couldn’t even count less than 2000 votes in
their Central Executive Committee election. And since the party can’t
even count up to 2000, how do you expect them to count millions or
billions or ringgit? If they can’t count, how can they be given the
mandate to lead a state, what more a country?

Because of DAP’s incapability, the cost for the mega tunnel which was
announced at RM4.08 billion is now at RM6.3 billion. So much of the
bragging, about open tender having enabled the cost to reduce from the
original RM8 billion.

Flashback to the CEC election, the ‘computer’ had sabotaged DAP and
caused hundreds of votes to disappear. And in this mega project, the
‘computer’ had again played trick on DAP and caused some RM2.25 billion
to ‘appear’ out of nowhere.

If it’s not mathematic that is the problem, then it must be that DAP isn’t computer savvy.

Or else, DAP wouldn’t be making a ‘typo error’ because they don’t even
have to type the numbers out. The numbers would have been automatically
calculated by the computer. In the case of not wanting to show the
whole worksheet, all the ‘humans’ need to do is pick the automatically
calculated total, and fill in their working papers or statements or
presentations for other to see.

How complicated could it be to just copy the total and not the whole calculation?

If it is really a typo error, then the names ‘Annie and Party’, ‘Pinny’,
‘Davy’, ‘Jimmy’ and ‘Terry’ that came out in the ‘paperwork’ of the
project as exposed earlier, could also be ‘typo errors’. Couldn’t it?

After years of calling UMNO as backwards, the Malays as slow, stupid and
lazy, it is finally proven that DAP is the one who is a slow learner -
even dumb. But at least, we are saved from the standard obnoxious
excuse that all the miscalculations are UMNO’s fault.

For the record, this so-called slow, stupid, lazy, racist UMNO Malays
have been ruling this country for years without any records of stupid
dumb mistakes like Guan Eng did. In case Guan Eng didn’t realize, it is
the same UMNO that leads Malaysia to what it is today where the Chinese
and other races are free to grab opportunities and become tycoons.

Instead of being embarrassed and ashamed, Lim Guan Eng called those who
pointed his ‘errors’ out as un-professionals! Therefore, I started to
wonder whether DAP too, has a problem with English.

It is becoming more obvious that Lim Guan Eng is not very smart. He has
better take up a computer course, repeat his studies in mathematics or
accountings and polish his English before contesting in the upcoming
election.

Guan Eng should know that mistakes in presenting the cost of a mega
project that would affect the tax-payers are simply, absolutely,
unacceptable. Bear in mind that Lim Guan Eng is not running some small
grocery business in a shop-house, he is running a state. He is not
talking about his household budget – his son’s pocket money or his
wife’s kitchen expenses. But he is talking about a controversial mega
tunnel worth billions, if not votes to select the people to help him run
the state.

These are only few ‘mistakes’ or ‘errors’ that we are able to detect. I
wonder what would we find if we could put our hands in the Penang
State’s administration and scrutinize all the numbers. And I can’t
imagine how many ‘typo errors’ or ‘computer problems’ that we could find
if we do the same to DAP’s administration.

Honestly speaking I think all Malaysians who are voters are actually
thinking – whats so great about Parliament being dissolved early or
later because at this present moment both sides of the political divide
have already been campaigning as though voting is to be held tomorrow!
The political temperature has risen ever since three years back and
there is no sign it will go down even after polling because the ‘heat
has burnt the iron right down to its core’.
While Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak leads the ruling coalition in
defending the and rebutting the opposition pact’s onslaught which the
latter has conducted since immediately after the 2008 general election,
the pact led by Anwar Ibrahim has been hammering into the minds of
Malaysians the purported wrong doings and scandals and what nots done by
leaders of the ruling party.
However, since Najib began going down to the streets and talking to
ordinary Malaysians, the tide or political climate seems to change and
at the present situation, Anwar and his pact are facing problems to
convince or influence the ‘thinking’ voters.
Thinking voters, who are matured and wise enough to analyse the promises
and pledges and the reality that are served, they have now decided
which party to vote and the proof can be seen with members and
supporters of the pact abandoning their ‘loyalty’ in droves.
In desperation, Anwar and the pact raised racial and religious issues
that further angered the multi-racial and multi-religious Malaysians
that see DAP and PAS facing internal conflicts among their members.
Before the issues can subside, the Lahad Datu incursion further put a
slap to the pact’s position as Armed Forces and police personnel clearly
lost trust in the pact and returned to the ruling coalition.
This is the scenario at present – opposition pact is grappling at
anything to stop the erosion of support and influence while Najib and BN
are getting back the trust from the people.
And whether the Parliament is dissolved anytime now or later, the
scenario is clear – BN is still the favourite – no matter what the pact
leaders said.
DAP owner Lim Kit Siang tries his psychological war tactic – opposition
pact would win seven states – the same old song played by Anwar.
It does not work anymore because voters see through the bluff – voters
are no longer having the 2008 ‘anger and emotions’ because they already
see the happenings in states ruled by the opposition pact and they also
see the truth from lies that have been pumped to them all this while.
In short, voters are wiser and smarter now and this puts the pact in a
desperate position where they now resort to political gangsterism

Financial Times and Reuters have got good news for Malaysians that the
Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Najib has finally stated his confidence in
Barisan Nasional winning 2/3 majority in the upcoming election. His
confidence means a lot to the business people, especially, as many of
the group are worried over the credibility and ability of the
Oppositions in handling the economy.

The fact that Anwar Ibrahim had also stated that this could be his best
chance of victory ever, is taken as a mere political statement from a
man who has a been shooting his own foot again and again during these
critical hours.

Pushing his sex-scandals aside, Malaysians are keeping their eyes on
Anwar for his name keeps popping up in the investigation over the bloody
Lahad Datu terrorist invasion. Until todate, Anwar fails to explain
the reason behind his meetings with MNLF leaders and what were ‘his men’
doing in Phillipines just days before the invasion?

It couldn’t be a co-incident that he must brought up the issue of
Malaysia losing Sabah or all the fuss about the identity cards being
issued not according to procedures to the immigrants in the state, prior
to the bloody incident.

But the greatest mistake Anwar made in handling this issue, is that he
tried to shut the medias from digging out the truth from him by
threatening to sue them if they ever asked about why he didn’t sue
Reuters or the Philippines media who first reported the stories about
him being the one behind the whole incident.

He could have gained a lot just by suing those medias but he didn’t,
which most certainly because there are concrete basis to it.

No one in the right mind would vote for a man who didn’t care less about
the lives of the people. No one in the right mind would vote for a man
who had actually made a deal to give away a state to the terrorists so
that he could become the Prime Minister.

What sort of country would it be, if the Prime Minister himself, is the traitor?

Just like all his other problems, nobody did anything to Anwar, but
himself. This is a common problem of a man so desperate, so eager, so
anxiously excited for power.

He could have fought a decent fight, work very hard to show his party’s
credibility and served the people in his constituency well, and may one
day win the hearts of Malaysians that they might forget his dirty filthy
stinking stories. But he chooses to fight dirty, go through backdoors
and create unrest. ‘Arab Spring’ is his dream, so how could we not see
his connection with Lahad Datu bloodshed?

While Anwar is always on the ‘attack’ mode over the government and
everything that spells BN, it is very much the opposite with Dato’ Seri
Najib.

In contrary to Anwar, The Prime Minister would rather talk about his achievement than ‘attack’ his political enemies.

In the interview with Financial Times, for example, Dato’ Seri Najib was
obviously engrossed with his work as the Prime Minister and as the
party leader. He explained, very matter-of-factly about how a strong
government is necessary to accelerate the process of transformation in
the country. He also pointed out how he has reformed UMNO and
deliberately changed internal rules to make a potential leadership
challenge easier.

He doesn’t need to brag either, as the numbers speak for themselves.
Malaysia is now being aided by an economic programme that the
government launched in 2010 to double per capita income to $15,000 by
2020. This has led to external confidence whereby foreign holdings of
Malaysian government bonds jump by 550 per cent to RM215 billion
(USD69billion) since 2009, according to HSBC.

The only thing that the Prime Minister has to say about the Oppositions
is that he thinks it is too risky to put faith in a coalition that does
not have a clear sense of direction and with a manifesto that is not
credible.

Needless to look at the numbers, the personalities of the two figures
should be sufficient enough to help Malaysians make a choice. One is
very unpatriotic, insensitive, a traitor and forever anxious for power
and the other one is very calm, rationale, elegant and brilliant.

There is no doubt that two third majority wouldn’t be a problem for Barisan Nasional.

Despite the Sulu intrusion, Barisan is set for a big win in the Land Below the Wind, thanks to a fragmented Opposition.
IN-FIGHTING among Opposition parties for seats has been overshadowed by
how the Feb 9 Sulu intrusion will impact voting patterns in Sabah.
Although
observers believe that the “fixed deposit” status of Sabah for Barisan
Nasional would remain, concerns are growing over the east coast seats,
especially the Suluk-Bajau majority ones around Lahad Datu, Semporna and
Kunak.
Barisan candidates will have to work much harder to
convince the migrant ethnic voters on why a stable and united government
is important for the security of the state.
With security utmost
in the minds of the people, even urban or semi-urban seats once
considered black or grey to the ruling government could shift back to
Barisan, particularly with the business community now finding “solace”
with the coalition.
The prospects for the parliamentary seats of
Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Sandakan are looking brighter for the ruling
coalition, affirming the “fixed deposit” tag.
Kota Kinabalu and Tawau are now in the hands of the Opposition, while Sandakan was won by Barisan with a razor-thin margin.
Sabah Barisan withstood the March 2008 tsunami, delivering 24 of the 25 parliamentary and 59 of the 60 state seats.
Within
Pakatan Rakyat, the DAP and PKR contested against each other after
failing to cut a deal. Among the Opposition parties, it was only the DAP
which saw victory, winning the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary seat and the
state seat of Sri Tanjung.
Sabah Barisan, which was led by Datuk Seri Musa Aman, chalked a landslide.
By
September 2008, however, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) pulled out with
its two MPs (Sepanggar and Tawau) together with two state assemblymen
(Likas and Luyang). But two other assemblymen (Elopura and Tanjung
Papat) opted to stay put with Barisan by joining Gerakan.Datuk Seri Lajim Ukim of Umno and Datuk Wilfred Bumburing of Upko left Barisan to align themselves with Pakatan, raising the political heat in Sabah late last year.
Furthermore, their entry into Pakatan was not entirely welcomed by Pakatan leaders in Sabah.
Pakatan, the SAPP led by former chief minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee and the Sabah chapter of State Reform Party (STAR) headed by Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan have shown no signs of a deal for a one-on-one contest against Barisan.
Yong's
SAPP wants to contest more state seats while giving way to Pakatan for
the parliamentary seats. STAR, on its part, wants Pakatan to leave Sabah
entirely to local parties. Pakatan is not interested in such demands.
Even the SAPP and STAR themselves are also unable to work out a
seat-sharing formula.
As the Sulu crisis continues to linger in
the minds of the people, Sabah parties are slowly getting back into the
political groove with a clearer indication that the Opposition has
agreed to disagree, opening a free-for-all fight against Barisan.
The
Opposition's game plan augurs well for the eight-member Sabah Barisan.
Some observers believe they can pull off a repeat of 2008.
Local issues and choice of candidates are likely to be key topics for the ruling coalition.
Musa
heads Sabah Umno, which is set to defend all its Muslim bumiputra seats
(32 state and 12 parliamentary seats). It will focus on taking back
Beaufort after Lajim quit the party.
The party is maintaining a tight lid on possible new faces.
However, Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin and Kalabakan MP Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh are among the estimated 20% who are speculated to be dropped to make way for new faces.
Taking the fight into the political hotbed of the Kadazandusun and Murut areas will be Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) led by Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan who is the Kadazandusun Huguan Siou (paramount leader), Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president (PBRS) Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.
Talk is rife that Pairin is likely to give up one of his two seats (Keningau parliamentary and Tambunan state seats).
Kurup may be retiring in favour of a new face. There has been talk that his son might contest.
For
the Chinese seats, Gerakan which was nearly wiped out in the peninsula,
has shot into the limelight with the party holding three state seats
and two state Cabinet posts in Sabah with the defections of SAPP
members.
Sabah Gerakan together with Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by Datuk V.K. Liew, Sabah MCA's Datuk Edward Khoo and PBS' Datuk Yee Moh Chai will face an uphill battle to win over the urban voters.
All
Barisan parties are lobbying to contest the six seats (two
parliamentary and four state seats) formerly allocated to the SAPP. To
date, Barisan has yet to announce how the six seats will be allocated.
At
one stage, the urban Chinese-majority seats were considered lost for
Barisan. But with the DAP and SAPP unable to see eye-to-eye, Opposition
votes could be split and the incumbents could pull through, albeit
narrowly.
The hot seats to watch out for are:
>
Penampang The parliamentary constituency which has the largest Catholic
population is set to test the popularity of incumbent Dompok, who has
pushed for key issues about illegal immigrants and mission schools;
>
Pensiangan Kurup, a survivor of Sabah politics, is likely to have a
tough time to defend the seat which he won after he was returned
uncontested in a controversial Nomination Day decision;
>
Keningau Will it be Round 2 for the feuding Kitingan brothers? If Pairin
decides to defend the seat, he will face off with his politically
estranged younger brother Dr Jeffrey. In their previous battle, Pairin
retained the seat with a 4,264-vote majority;
> Sandakan LDP's
Liew will be facing stiff challenge in this Opposition-inclined seat
which he won by a mere 176-vote majority against the DAP;
>
Beaufort This parliamentary seat will be the focus of Umno's onslaught
as Lajim remains a popular figure in the constituency where the two
state seats of Klias and Kuala Penyu currently held by Barisan might be
at stake due to Lajim's clout; and
> Kota Kinabalu A three-way
tussle is on the cards for this seat where Barisan is hoping to slip
through with a win as home-grown Opposition party SAPP (barring a
last-minute compromise) takes on the DAP.
As for Musa who has
broken the jinx of Sabah chief ministers not lasting more than nine
years he is set to keep the ruling coalition in control of the state and
deliver more than two-thirds of the 25 parliamentary seats.
A big win will also ensure Musa's position within Umno and Barisan.

LAST Saturday there was a session with an opposition leader in one
of the hotels in Petaling Jaya. Being an ardent follower of politics and
an eligible voter, I went to hear what the opposition leader had to
say.

Upon reaching there, one of the opposition's henchmen, a youth in his
20s, rudely demanded my age, citing that if I was not a "youth" then I
must wait outside, as the event was not for elders.
I was disgusted at the high handed attitude of the youth, who claimed
he had been instructed by his party to do so. But then, I saw there were
other senior citizens in the ballroom.
I realised then, I was being discriminated because of my appearance. I
guess they could not make out if I was Malay, Chinese or Indian.
I guess they did not know what a Sikh looks like as they had been shrouded by their political masters, too.
His explanation, unacceptable though, was that this event was for the youth. He said it was stated on their website.
I disputed it and said the condition for entry to the event was not
stated on their website. It was mentioned that the youth will have an
opportunity to throw questions to their leader but there was no mention
that only youth will be allowed for the session.
I was then surrounded by their people and I felt intimidated. But as a
voter and knowing my rights, I challenged them to state where they had
put the conditions for attendees or the public.
The episode left me, my relatives and friends with one major
apprehension on the issue of how the opposition is trying to empower the
youth of today.
I have nothing personal against the youth, as I was once in their
shoes, too. However, manners and respectfulness must always be there in
whatever age group they belong to.
If this is the kind of arrogance and grooming that is championed by the
opposition, then the lasting impression is bitter in all aspects.
The public must be reminded repeatedly that merely changing for the
sake of change, as championed by the opposition, may land ourselves with
more problems.
The opposition does not appear to have the right mix of leaders to progress in the future.
Where is the structure of management? They propagate that the youth
will lead but if they are nurturing the ideology of governing through
might, we may be heading towards more turbulent times.
A simple session with their leader has so many obstacles and red-tape,
with discriminative thug-like attitude controlling the guests.
What can the rakyat expect in return? I do not feel safe, how is the
rakyat going to feel safe and assured with the future of Malaysia in
their hands?
Governing a nation is not a trial and error virtual game. It takes far more than just emotions and will to administer.
It's time for the rakyat to think not only locally, but globally and in a holistic manner.
The future of Malaysia is not for gamble. Your single vote essentially
decides the future of all. Opposing just for the sake of opposing will
not bring you far.

ANWAR Ibrahim’s bluff did not work…exposed by the self-styled Sulu ‘Sultan’ himself through spokesman Abraham Idjirani.
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak did not meet brother of Jamalul Kiram
111, Bantilan Esmail Kiram 11 as alleged by Anwar following the
photograph that appeared in the internet posted by of course none other
than those supporting Anwar.
The reason is simple – to deflect the issue of Anwar meeting with Nur
Misuari and the report from Philippines intelligence that he met Misuari
few months before the Lahad Datu incursion.
Anwar’s meeting with Misuari have been highlighted openly and without
any spin which worry him and PKR, added to that was PKR vice-president
Tian Chua’s statements that the incursion was Umno’s made drama.
Anwar and PKR are under pressure and given the gravity of the situation
where the party is losing credibility and integrity as well as support,
they are now putting the blame on Najib for the incursion.
Knowing the party’s skill and expertism in spinning issues and
deflecting truth to make-believed lies, they try to turn the table or
the focus from Anwar and Tian Chua to Najib.
But with the denial from the Sultanate himself through his spokesman,
Anwar is back in trouble and he has to find ways to get out of this.
Make-believed stories now have failed and the party is in dire straits
as the pact they formed with DAP and PAS before 2008 general election
has hit a snag with the two party going back to their original
struggles.
DAP, being a Chinese chauvinistic party is back on its original path
while PAS, back to its Islamic struggle which is now being questioned by
its own members as the party leaders try to balance between true
Islamic teachings and political survival with nits partners.
PKR is without any of that as it has only one objective – to put Anwar as Prime Minister – the rest are irrelevant.
And Anwar, obsessed with his ambition has, from the start surrounded
himself with people who are ‘intellectual and wizard’ in spinning and
creating believable stories, has been on such work to create doubts on
Najib and the ruling parties as well as on Malay institutions which
included the police and armed forces to win votes.
Devoid of real philosophies, he just pumps into the minds of the people
all kinds of created make-believed stories that included the photo of
Najib and Esmail to deflect the focus on him.
But now, with the denial, Anwar and PKR are in deep trouble because
Malaysians who are concerned, regardless of race and religion are
getting fed up with his antiques and lies and empty promises.
Anwar is indeed desperate and seeking anything to keep him from drowning.

POLITICAL violence is now seeping in Malaysia’s political scene and it
is growing into a culture…for the opposition of course…especially PKR as
more and more of the party’s leaders particularly Anwar Ibrahim’s
skeletons being revealed.
This culture began in 1998 when Anwar was expelled from the Cabinet
where he began his street demonstrations and since then, Kuala Lumpur
faces various demonstrations by NGOs aligned to him.
The recent political violence, latest at Kota Kinabalu airport as
depicted in the U-tube by Rocky’s Bru reflected the desperation PKR is
at present.
PKR has been very aggressive in digging and exposing the ruling party’s
weaknesses and particularly Prime Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razak with
their make-believed stories being repeated with different actors and
different places.
PKR aggressive onslaught has taken a backseat as Malaysians at large
began to see the truths and this has put the party in an awkward
position as credibility took a downward slide.
Wanting to remain relevant and the need to be regarded as strong and
still influential, the party embarks on ‘political violence’ and of
course as usual, always blame Umno for starting it and the irony is
that the party manages to convince many.
PKR which began as a group that embarked on street demonstrations has
developed into a political party but without philosophies and concepts
thus still practicing street demonstration and violence as its culture.
The party leaders, who are deep in scandals and have a history of street
demonstrations, are regarded as JOKERS by the DAP and not credible at
all by PAS, are ‘working overtime’ to pre-empt moves by BN.
BN’s responses in rebutting all the make-believed allegations done
systematically worry PKR as thinking voters are now distancing
themselves from the party, even the party’s members and supporters are
running away as fast as they can.
The situation has made PKR desperate and pressured and the only way now,
since all else failed, is political violence which can trigger fear and
restlessness among the public.
This violence is expected to occur even after polling and the height of
this will be on polling day – expect much violence when voters queue up
to vote.
PKR is desperate and is willing to do anything to spoil the general
election because the party leaders know the party will be buried after
the general election.
The party leaders know Malaysian voters are now looking for ‘real and
fulfilling’ future rather than rhetoric and ‘mad approaches’ that have
no logical basis, only talks and dreams.
Thus, the political gangsterism is the answer to the party’s desperation
– if you can’t beat them, do not join them but scare them – that seems
to be the motto now.

The death of private investigator, Balasubramaniam A/l Perumal due to
heart attack which is still mourned by his relatives. Some of them are
blaming PR for pushing him to be active in the political world.
If we are to consider the facts, those who have heart issues should get a lot of rest and light exercise.
If PR do care and they did not push Bala and gave him more chance to
rest until the end of his heart bypass surgery which has already been
set, there might be a probability that his death can be avoided.
However, everything has been fated and we should all convey our condolence to his family.
And now, his death is still being discussed by a few in PR when some
thought that the action of bringing Bala back to Malaysia is just a
waste for PR.
Such opinion is also shared by a pro-PR website, suarapakatanrakyat.com
which in its article, "Bringing Bala Home Is A Disaster For Pakatan
Rakyat".
According to the website, Bala was a police officer and he has bad
record when he was in service for RMP. Few of his bad record include
kidnapping (Kidnapping Act) and slapping a civilian (Indecent Act).
Based on those bad record, the portal thinks that it has given PR a bad
image, thus, affecting the public trust on PR's campaign regarding
Altantuya's issue.
The worry expressed by the portal might be right. No one would want to
believe stories that came from police officers with bad record.
Besides, up to his death, Bala still refuse to return Razak Baginda's
RM50,000 which was supposed to be handed to Altantuya, which Bala took.
And we still have not considered Bala's credibility as he kept on
changing his statutory declaration (SD) which contradicts one another on
the same issue.
With the bad record above, it would be hard for the public to really
care about what Bala said. Despite that, it is a little too late for
suarapakatanrakyat.com to warn their favorite party

Once upon a time, there lived a Princess called Jacel, in a pathetic
little hut, in a small village in Southern Phillipines. The princess
has always cursed her hard life – a life harder than most ordinary
villagers in the Land Below The Wind, which used to belong to her
family.

She blames her great-great grandfathers for giving up the land at a
pathetic cost of RM5000 a year but she never sees of a way of getting it
back. Not until a chameleon named Anwar Ibrahim came along and offered
some hope of regaining the family’s throne.

She dreams of living a real-princess life after getting back the throne,
but things turned out to be better with this magic chameleon. Princess
Jacel suddenly find herself already living a princess life, flying on a
jet-plane, having all kinds of gadgets that she didn’t even dare to
dream before and got introduced to the amazing world of the….‘Twitter!’

The excitement was just too much to handle that she couldn’t wait to
announce to the world that she, is a Princess - the Princess of Sulu,
the heir of the rightful ruler of the Land Below the Wind!

But then, she went and showed the world the ultimate proof that her
family doesn’t have the rights to land. She showed us a Lease Agreement
signed at 22nd January 1878 read:

"GRANT BY THE SULTAN OF SULU OF A PERMANENT LEASE COVERING HIS LANDS AND
TERRITORIES ON THE ISLAND OF BORNEO DATED JANUARY 22, 1878" to Baron
von Overbeck the ‘real’ ruler of Sabah at the time. Sabah then became
part of Malaysia, and Malaysia continues to comply with what has been
agreed.

We don’t know which part of the word ‘permanent’ that the Princess
doesn’t understand. But considering her hard life and the DNA passed
by her great-grandfathers, who had willingly given up a big piece land
for a little amount of money, I think we should not be so hard on her.

However, not being hard on her seems to be unfair, considering what her
men has done to our policemen and soldiers and for causing trauma to the
villagers of Sabah and for the trouble that she has caused our
government plus the affect on Malaysia’s image and economy.

What is worse is that this Princess is starting to sound more like a PKR
member, than a Princess of some non-existence kingdom.

In a press conference, she called the public not to believe the
conspiracy theory being peddled by the government and that Najib and his
UMNO are gearing up for Malaysia’s election this month.

She also said that the conspiracy angle is “purely for political
exigency and popularity. This issue to them is not important, especially
on election time in Malaysia”.

She added “Today, the imaginary conspiracy was propagated through text
messaging to divert attention away from the true issue. The conspiracy
theory is an insult to the Filipino people and to the sultanate of Sulu,
more so to the Raja Muda (Agbimuddin) and his people.”

She almost sounds like Nurul Izzah if not Tian Chua or Anwar himself.
We can almost expect that she would continue saying that the whole
incident was a slander to bring down her father!

The Sabahans are only so lucky that the Sulu Sultan had given up the
land or they would find their lives in the hands of a Sultan who thinks
that bloodshed is good for popularity, especially with the election
approaching.

Malaysians are very peaceful people and that’s why this country remains
peaceful despite unending attempts by the Opposition to create chaos.
We let the Sulus come and go freely, believing that they too, are
peaceful people. It is just natural for Malaysians, when looking at the
Sulus, even Jacel herself, that the first thing that triggered our
mind, was ‘pity’. These ‘good’ people of Sulu, they look like us, they
are of the same religion, and then our hearts melted.

But thanks to Anwar the chameleon that we now are able to see that the
Sulus are not as good, in fact are savages, brutal and cold-blooded.
Religion is only by the ‘tudung’ worn by Jacel but it was proven in the
battle, that they actually worship the satan.

The chameleon has obviously succeeded in misleading or cheated the Sulus
into giving up their lives for his sake. And for that, the Sulus have
obviously lost everything.

Even without a throne, the Sulus royalties have proven themselves to be
ever willing to be a tool to anyone, and risk their peoples’ lives for
easy money.

Jacel may have some gadgets, a twitter account, and flies on jet-planes,
stays in hotel suites for awhile but that’s all there is to it. In no
time, when Sabah is no longer an issue for the Chameleon, the Sulus will
be forgotten, the terrorists would be wiped off. Jacel will go back to
being a nobody, as she actually is.

Even then, nobody knows whether Jacel is the real supposed-princess. We
know that there are disputes over the matter of heirs and heiress of
the Sulu throne and nobody can even prove who is the right person to
claim the throne. But even if somebody can, the problem is, there is
no throne!

How could Jacel call herself a Princess when the there is no kingdom to
rule? As hard and painful as it is, it is the truth that Anwar is just a
chameleon, not a wizard who can grant wishes and fulfill dreams.

So, stop calling yourself Princess, Jacel. It’s just very wrong and very silly.

We mentioned about the other brother of Anwar Ibrahim in our previous
article in Part 4. His name is Idrus Ibrahim and he is the eldest
brother of Anwar. He was once the Headmaster of a primary school in
Bukit Mertajam and when Anwar Ibrahim was the Deputy Prime Minister and
Finance Minister, Idrus was courted by another top developer in Penang
by the name of Sonny Ho who heads the Belleview Group. Idrus was made
Chairman of the company and Sonny benefited by getting lots of projects
in Penang.
Of course, Sonny built better quality houses and property than Goh Choon Lye and was definitely a smarter chap.
Idurs Ibrahim had is good for a while but soon Anwar Ibrahim fell
from power and was imprisoned and that also forced Sonny Ho to remove
Idrus as Chairman of Belleview.
Idrus was also a simpleton who trusted the businessmen who flocked to
him to make him their partners and ultimately the guarantor of many of
their business loans as he sits on their boards. When these businesses
failed, the banks recalled the loans and often the secured properties
were not sufficient to pay off the outstanding loans and so the banks
had to sue the guarantors for recovery. Idrus was sued left right and
centre and he was eventually made a bankrupt.
Belleview Group also built the three storey terrace houses called
Slim Villas in Jalan Slim in Penang. Slim Villas in Jalan Slim is merely
a 10-minutes’ drive from Jalan Pinhorn where Lim Guan Eng is staying in
a rented bungalow belonging to Tan Kok Ping’s family member. Tan Kok
Ping has gotten very close to Lim Guan Eng who is the Chief Minister of
Penang. Tan Kok Ping knew about the affair between Lim Guan Eng and Ng
Phaik Kheng aka Rainbow and how Guan Eng’s wife, Betty came to know
about it via a whistle blower and forced Lim Guan Eng to put a stop to
the affair. Guan Eng of course denied the affair but Betty has a pretty
good aim and with her on-target flying ash tray that landed right on
Guan Eng’s forehead soon woke Guan Eng to his senses and he was forced
to sack Rainbow and kick her out of his KOMTAR office.
The sneaky Tan Kok Ping wanted to tie Guan Eng in his fingers and
keep the affair going and so Kok Ping spoke to Sonny Ho to allow Rainbow
to purchase a unit of the Slim Villas at developer’s price of
RM700,000. Who actually paid the RM700,000 – no one knows? Maybe it was
Guan Eng or maybe even Kok Ping himself as surely Rainbow could not
afford such a house on her meagre salary and more so after losing her
job at the CM’s office.

It was a perfect arrangement for the love-birds to continue their
tale of forbidden love as they now live only 10-minutes apart. A classic
case of so near yet so far but indeed forbidden fruit tastes sweeter.
Well, today Anwar is back into the corporate scene in Penang via the
courtesy of Guan Eng for the mega project. History kind of repeats
itself here.
But Guan Eng is certainly caught in this tangled web of deceit – not
only cheating his wife but in fact he is cheating the people of Penang
as he bull-dozes this Tunnel Mega Project through in order to grease his
cronies and enrich himself with dirty money.
Back to the story of Sonny Ho – his latest project in Penang is the
controversial Moulmein Rise which is a 27-storey iconic structure
located in Pulau Tikus, Penang. It comprises shop offices at level 1
& 2 and lifestyle suites from level 5 to 27. Traders and residents
living near the Pulau Tikus market are very angry with the Penang State
Government and they are fuming over this 27-storey commercial project in
Lengkok Moulmein.
The closure of a car park located on the project site is said to be
disrupting their daily lives along Jalan Pasar and the Jalan Moulmein
area. A protest, led by Penang Citizens’ Awareness (Chant Group) member
Yan Lee, was held recently where he complained that the people there
were affected by the construction of the project called “Moulmein Rise”
as there was now limited car park space for the market goers. Traders
have complained that their business had dropped almost 50% on some days
since the open space car park was closed last month for the construction
and residents had not received any feedback.
Another resident, CK Tan, claimed that “my right to object was taken
away from me”. “Then they rubbed salt into the wound and let the
developer build (a construction) even higher than the plan that was
rejected,” he was quoted as saying and indeed he has been described as
probably the angriest-looking man at the protest.
But all this is to no avail as CM Lim Guan Eng refuses to listen to
the people affected by this project which has caused hardship to them.
Is it because Guan Eng owes Sonny Ho a debt as he sold the Slim Villa
cheap to Rainbow and kept discreet about it?
And so Guan Eng allows the developer Sonny Ho to build this monstrous high rise.
Guan Eng is fast gaining a reputation as Penang’s top land broker
because of his unusually close relationship with the developers in
Penang as it appears to be his favourite modus operandi to squeeze and
skim monies form them and from the state’s most asset.

The DAP's call for Ubah (change) has failed to get traction
from the Malays and Indians while the Chinese community is beginning to
question the wisdom of such a call, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said.
The MCA president said the DAP had failed to convince the majority of the people that its call could make life better for them.
Based
on feedback, including from his visits to villages nationwide, Dr Chua
said the majority of Malays and Indians did not believe in Ubah.
Even some Chinese, who had initially wanted to give it a try for five years, also have their reservations now, he added.
The tipping point, Dr Chua said, was the encouraging outcome of the country's Economic Transformation Programmes (ETP) and the other programmes under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“Facts and figures speak louder than rhetoric, or worse, empty promises,” he said.
Dr
Chua said the country's economic growth this year was 5.6% and this was
based on the economic plans put in place by the Government and not a
slogan like Ubah.
“The 13-member National Economic Council
or NEC, chaired by the Prime Minister, will meet every Monday to ensure
an average 6% economic growth a year.
“It is also about how to
empower the pri-vate sector to lead the economic growth, get more
foreign direct investments and creating 300,000 new jobs a year,” said
Dr Chua, who is also an NEC member.
Speaking at a dinner attended
by about 1,200 people in Lawan Kuda here, and organised by 40 NG0s from
Gopeng, Dr Chua said he would share the country's development updates
with the people during his nationwide visits to enable them to make
informed choices during the upcoming general election.
“The Prime Minister has an impressive report card for the last three years,” he added.
Following
the good performance, Dr Chua said the Government was confident that
the plans were on track and even announced that the Bantuan Rakyat
1Malaysia (BRIM) would be an annual handout for the poor.
Dr Chua
said voters would have to decide on who to support and urged them to
consider their own future and that of their families when making the
decision.

STARTING POINT: Its leaders praise PM for hearing out issues raised by movement

THE Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has lauded Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for his willingness to listen to the
movement's grouses.
After staging a hunger strike for over a fortnight, several Hindraf
leaders met with Najib at his office in Perdana Putra here, yesterday
afternoon, to discuss the plight of the nation's Indian community.
The movement's national adviser N. Ganesan described the hour-long closed-door meeting with Najib as "productive".
Ganesan said the meeting showed the prime minister was willing to
listen to the community's grievances, and had opened the door to more
discussions.
"The issues are too complex to discuss in an hour, but it is a starting
point. We (have) basically established a line of communication.
"We have agreed to hold more discussions with the PM in the next few days on resolving issues."
Ganesan appeared frail, and was flanked by a movement supporter
throughout the brief press conference held outside Perdana Putra.
Present was Hindraf chairman, P. Waythamoorthy.
The movement began its hunger strike on March 11. Critics had labelled
the strike as a bid to garner support either from Barisan Nasional or
Pakatan Rakyat to support its blueprint to alleviate poverty among the
Indian community.
Asked whether Hindraf had sought the PM's endorsement for its blueprint, Ganesan said that would be its "final outcome".
Ganesan, who declined to reveal the conversation with Najib, said it
was more important that a dialogue with the prime minister had begun.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

The old Anwar Ibrahim Connection
In Part 2 of our article in this series, “Who is Annie & Party”,
we disclosed that “Annie & Party” refers to Anwar Ibrahim and his
party, PKR. Lim Guan Eng has seen it fit to give 10% share of the RM8
billion mega project to Anwar in order to keep Anwar on his side.
Many readers have expressed doubt that Anwar is involved in this. But
please remember that Anwar comes from Penang and in his hey days as
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, the avenues of corruption by
Anwar were very rampant in Penang. This article is to remind readers of
the deep ties that Anwar had with many Penang developers way back in
the go-go days of 1990s.

Of course, Anwar will never use his own name. But the names of his
brothers were very popular cronies to many top developers in Penang.
That was in the 1990s.
Suffice to mention just the names of Anwar’s 2 brothers – Marzuki Ibrahim and Idrus Ibrahim.
Marzuki Ibrahim was roped in to sit on his board of directors by one
Goh Choon Lye was then the hotshot developer in Penang who operated
under Penas Corporation Berhad. Penas swept almost all the projects in
Penang at that time as Anwar Ibrahim held sway. Penas built the Prangin
Mall and also the Midlands One Stop Centre in Pulau Tikus.

But Penas was built on very high gearing with loans form almost every
banker in town and Goh Choon Lye led a high-flying life. He had a
private jet and when he visits China, long lines of women lined the
streets to greet him and often offered to entertain his throughout his
stay there. He ended up having numerous mistresses and he courted and
wooed and enticed other people’s wives as well so much so that he was
nicknamed “MPPP – Garbage Truck”. Later, he eventually divorced his own
wife and his own downfall began. It was all about Money, Sex and Power
and the eventual fall of the Goh Choon Lye empire…

Choon Lye had a private yacht too which was frequently used for Anwar
Ibrahim’s leisure each time Anwar visited Penang and also to ferry
Anwar to private beaches in Langkawi and one of Anwar’s favourite
playground in Phuket which provided him with a huge supply of young
nubile boys who can satisfy the deepest perverted sexual fantasies of
Anwar Ibrahim. The yacht was also used ferry jet skis for Anwar – his
favourite sports then – Anwar loves jet skiing in Penang off the
secluded waters in Monkey Beach, Muka Head and Telok Bahang.
When Anwar was arrested and removed as Deputy Prime Minister in 1999,
the house of cards that Penas built came crashing to the ground. Along
with it went Goh Choon Lye who was declared a bankrupt and also Marzuki
Ibrahim. Goh Choon Lye is also infamous for cutting cost on materials as
well as swindling residents’ sinking fund. Most of Penas’ properties do
not appreciate in price. In fact, most are tagged below launch price.

One of the most important project undertaken by Penas was the
Midlands One Stop Centre in Pulau Tikus which also house the adjoining
Berjaya Georgetown Hotel (see map below). And who has an interest in
this hotel? None other than Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping who was very friendly
with Goh Choon Lye then as he wanted to get close to Marzuki Ibrahim and
in turn get to know Anwar Ibrahim. That is why Kok Pin decided to work
with Goh Choon Lye to build Berjaya next to Midland One Stop Centre.

Till today, the relationship between Kok Ping and Choon Lye is still
there but of course, now Choon Lye is nothing than just a runner and
trouble shooter for Kok Ping as he is now financially in the doldrums.
Choon Lye will do the dirty jobs and money laundering for Kok Ping today
and handle the triad gang. But ironically Kok Pin got what he wanted –
he now knows Anwar Ibrahim very well because of his relationship with
Lim Guan Eng but alas the Anwar of today is a mere Opposition Leader and
not the Deputy Prime Minister any more.
But of course, Anwar tells Kok Ping that he will become the next
Prime Minister and so he can continue to rely on him. The connections
are deep and they go far back and Lim Guan Eng has just stepped into
this den of thieves.

These are exactly the kind of people that Guan Eng has surrounded
himself with – dangerous people who can destroy him and the DAP and that
is why faithful and principled party members must warn him to stay away
for such bad company. They are simply bad news and bad luck will always
follow them.
Guan Eng’s Penang Triple Crown Project will be the his downfall some
day in the future – it is only a matter of time before the MACC
investigates him and Guan Eng better pray that there are no paper trail
that leads to him…or else…

We have done our part – now it is up to the ordinary members to tell Guan Eng. Don’t say we didn’t warn him and you people…

The Pas-led Kelantan government
should stop taking the land which rightfully and legally belongs to the
people of Kuala Betis, Barisan Nasional's Nenggiri state assemblyman
said.Mat Yusoff Ghani whose constituency
in Nenggiri includes the disputed land in Kuala Betis where 378.8 ha of
land is being taken away from land settlers said:

“I don’t see why the government and
land office can take and sell the people’s land when they have managed
to acquire it legally.”

The BN representative told The Mole that previously the State’s Land Office had taken the people’s land claiming that it was not acquired properly.

“Today the settlers had acquired the
ownership and paid the land premium for the past seven years. About 600
ha of land were given and I don’t think it’s fair for the state
government to claim it back,” Mat Yusoff added.

He was commenting on a news report
where that the Kelantan government had taken and sold the 378.8 hectares
of land to a private company.

Utusan Malaysia reported
some 300 settlers from Kuala Betis claimed the Kelantan government had
approved land application to two companies in November last year and
land grants on Jan 28 this year.

When asked whether the Kelantan
government had clarified the matter to the settlers, Mat Yusoff said: “I
was informed that they had come to explain that these grants will be
nullified.”

“Still, the state government will
have to pay compensation to the company. I don’t understand how they can
simply approve land application without checking the status,” he added.

“Why can’t they let the Kelantanese develop their own land? Where is our right?”

A blog post in Outsyed The Box stated there is a sizeable development in the Gua Musang including logging activities.

“You see this all along the road
from Gua Musang to Kuala Krai. Timber is a major source of revenue as
well as a major source of corruption in Kelantan. It has been going on
for 22 years now. The phrase among the PAS in Kelantan is 'Ini harta
Allah, harta bumi' (This is Allah's wealth, the wealth of the earth).
They are clear-felling the forests,” the post read.

Commenting on this Mat Yusoff said:
“It is true that there are uncontrollable logging activities in Gua
Musang since 2002. I suggest you to come and see this for yourself.”

“I don’t know how much money the
state government gets from selling our land and stealing our natural
resources when it’s clear that the people have not benefitted from it.”

THIS is final part of the interview with former finance minister Tun
Daim Zainuddin, who helped the Malaysian economy survive the 1997 Asian
financial crisis.

Without mincing words, Daim discussed with New Straits Times
journalists A. JALIL HAMID, RASHID YUSOF and HARIZ MOHD and photographer
ZAHARI ZAKARIA the key events during the "Mahathir Years", including
the events which led to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's downfall.

Question: Media reports suggested at the time of your departure
from the cabinet in 1991 that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had three names
in mind as the new finance minister -- Tan Sri Sanusi Junid, Tan Sri
Rafidah Aziz and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Was this indeed the case?
Answer: Rafidah was then the minister for trade, having been appointed
to the post after the Team A versus Team B split in 1987. Sanusi was
minister for agriculture.
Dr Mahathir wasn't too sure about Anwar. He said, "I don't think Anwar
can handle the ministry of finance" given his academic background. He
was a graduate in Malay studies.
My counter argument went along this line -- "I think if you want him to be your successor you have to groom him.
"I can help him and guide him, give advice."
In the end, I managed to convince Dr Mahathir.
Anwar used to come to my house very often to seek my advice on matters related to the ministry of finance.
He would also bring me to to his house for lunch very often. His aunt cooked my favourite dishes.

Question: Given that Anwar had later named you as the "chief
conspirator" leading to his sacking from the cabinet in 1998, when did
things actually turn sour?
Answer: There was no fallout between us until he started accusing me of
being a chief conspirator. This is an old story. No one is interested
in the whys and wherefores. It is the now and the future that people are
interested in.
Really, we should not waste time with Anwar. He is past his use-by date. His time had come and gone.
I also think that you should not give so much news space to him. That's
what he likes. He does not like to be ignored, so ignore him I say. He
should be left to be the entertainer that he is, dancing and singing at
ceramahs. As I said his time is gone, like a burung punggok merindukan
bulan, (a dog barking at the caravans, and the caravans have moved on).
But as you keep insisting, I will answer. The best person to speak about Anwar is Sanusi. They were in school together.
They were in Abim (Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia) and in the cabinet,
and Sanusi was secretary-general of Umno. Anyway, I promised to answer
so I will answer.
Okay, my answer to Anwar -- I'm no Cassius. I maybe thin but I don't have the hungry look. And definitely, I'm no Brutus.
When Anwar claim- ed that I was the conspirator, he knows the truth
that I played no part, no role whatsoever. I knew nothing about the case
until I was told about it. I might be a busybody, but I do not
interfere with people's private life. I don't want people to know about
mine either. I don't want to know what people do behind closed doors.
I'm not interested. People whispered to me, but I said, "Look, we are
all human, we all have weaknesses."
But I understand he was under pressure, it was his political survival
and he was a drowning man, clutching at whatever to keep himself afloat,
plus he knew that I would never answer any allegations thrown at me. I
thought I was his friend and he was in trouble, and I let it be.
I also thought that it was so farfetched that it was laughable. Anwar,
for example said I took out RM2 billion cash by plane. I must be an
idiot, and any way how much is RM2 billion cash? Probably a few lorries
to transport!
At the end of the day, truth will always prevail. You can't hide it. If
not today, one day, the truth would be told. In the case of his
supporters, even if he were to do all that he is alleged to have done,
right on the carpet in front of their eyes, they will not believe. To
them, everything is a conspiracy.
Anwar's problem was that his image was whiter than white. When stories
got around because he got this image, it's difficult for people to
believe. In life, some things are too strange to be true but they are
true.
As Sherlock Holmes said, "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth".
There was a myth about Kennedy, too, but people did not talk about it
during his lifetime. After his death, you read about him and what he did
behind closed doors.

Question: There was talk back then that your motivation in
ousting Anwar was that you were anxious about protecting your business
interests?
Answer: That was his line, that he was this super hero fighting crime
and corruption and, therefore, had to be brought down. If you know the
things about him that I know, that line of his is hilarious, and the
cheek of it all, to claim righteousness.
I had then retired and what business interests did I have? I had to sell all my assets before joining the government in 1984.
But later on, after I had left, when I was made chairman of the
northern triangle, there was a clause in the agreement that I would be
able to venture into business. I was not a member of the cabinet anyway.
I ventured overseas after my retirement. I didn't want to do my
business in Malaysia. But after my banks overseas became successful I
needed to have a bank locally, I bought a bank. You can check, it was
very expensive, I paid higher than anybody else. At that time, the
highest anybody ever paid for a bank. This was a one-branch bank. Later,
I sold this bank, too, when I rejoined the government at the last
financial crisis. I really should stop buying banks in Malaysia. Every
time I buy one, I'm made minister of finance and have to sell them.
Immediately after my retirement, I went away to Harvard University, in
particular to the Kennedy School of Government as a visiting scholar.
Anwar kept calling me in Boston. (He asked) why I stayed there and
asked me to come back. He needed me to help him, but I said I was
enjoying my stay. I met a lot of people.
It was at Harvard that I met Francis Seow (who once served as
Singapore's solicitor-general). He was writing books. Interesting books.
You should read his books. We became good friends and often exchanged
views over lunch.
Then it was about the so-called "Daim Boys".
They were also very close with Anwar after I left.
Most were Malay College old boys. They were in school with Anwar.
Yahya (the late Tan Sri Yahya Ahmad) was his head boy and Halim (Tan Sri Halim Saad) was at the Malay College.
Anwar, through his accusations, repeated the lie that I wanted this
contract and that contract, and that because he was in the way, I got
rid of him. A lie repeated many times, unfortunately, becomes a truth.
What contract? I want to ask, which contract did I or my family secure? Show me.
Show me one single contract I got from the government.
So I have always maintained, the danger with Anwar is that Anwar is
more Sukarno than anything else. All fiery speeches, completely
economical with the truth and an instigator at his best.

Question: Was there a turning point, one that had caused a fall- out?
Answer: There was no particular fallout. I was his scapegoat, among
many other scapegoats. I was his friend, Dr Mahathir defended him. I
told him not to open the Pandora's box by making a police report but he
thought he was clever.
I've told you earlier that you should not waste news space on Anwar.
But you insist and I'm answering only to make the point that if you have
Pakatan and him leading Pakatan, then we are heading down the road to
disaster. He was tested during the Asian financial crisis and he failed.
I also think that he failed not just because of his policies, but also
of his motivation. Dr Mahathir, for example, was totally offended by the
crisis. He could not bear to see what he had taken time to build
destroyed because of the greed of speculators and financial vultures,
and he wanted to make sure the country was safe again.

Question: Some commentators had pointed out that Anwar at the
time of the crisis did not help by raising interest rates to such a high
level?
Answer: In the case of Anwar, at that time, he was really badly advised.
Because all along we know, Anwar on his own did not know what to do.
He has to get people to advise him and that was OK so long as you get good advice.
And of course at that time he really liked (Michel) Camdessus of the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and James Wolfensohn of the World
Bank.
And he was also close to Robert Rubin (secretary of treasury of the United States).
All these people later came to endorse him.
But you see, different countries have different environments, different stages of development, different conditions.
It's not the same.
You look at what happened during that crisis to South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and us.
There's Singapore, China and Japan.
During that time, Anwar's stance was "follow what was advised by the IMF and World Bank".
That would be a normal reaction -- in a crisis like this, you need some big fellows to come and advise.
Because if there's any trouble, the IMF and World Bank will come and assist.
And if America backs you, you are also okay. And America has big influence over the IMF and World Bank.
In the case of South Korea, it wanted to borrow from Japan so that it would not go down.
But America refused to help. America told the Japanese not to help, so
it went down and mind you, South Korea was close to the US. Don't expect
the US to support us.
At that time, Robert Zoellick, who was deputy secretary of state, made
it known that the doors were open for the American companies to go in to
pick up companies at fire-sale prices.
This was the case with Indonesia when they came in and took almost everything they wanted.
They killed Thailand, too.
We saw what was happening. Dr Mahathir understood.
He said: "What we built... will be destroyed".
Years of growth and stability will be wiped out.
And if we are not careful, there might be riots like in Indonesia, South Korea and Thailand.
Probably worse.
So, he had to think how to stop it.

Question: Based on your articulation on the political scenario,
you are troubled not by Anwar's so- called misconduct but more of his
character?
Answer: I'm worried that he has not got the depth on economics.
If he again becomes the finance minister or prime minister, his inclination is to take the American line.
America is in crisis, Europe is in crisis.
He likes to identify with Europe, America and Australia.
He tried to get Australia to support him, to condemn and say our election will not be fair, etc.
He talks of Arab Spring, but he said the Arab Spring here is not a revolution but through the ballot box.
He had been telling the world that he will win this election.
If PR were to lose, it would be because of unfair practices and mobs
could then go to the streets to protest. He promised to form the
government in September 2008. Everybody got jittery and many believed
him. That is his style. He is all talk and promises. Now, he tells the
world he will win.
But the government isn't even responding. There has never been riggings
in elections here. Last election, they formed five state governments.
Otherwise, how did the opposition win so many seats if the government rigged elections?
No election is perfect in this world.
But he has started this, and the government must respond.
Anwar is conditioning the minds of the people here and telling the world PR will win but he knows he cannot win.
As I said earlier, I question his (and also Pakatan's) motivation. His
personal ambition is so overriding and an obsession that he does not
care that it will be at the expense of peace and stability in his
country.
Can you imagine the scenario if Pakatan does not get to Putrajaya? He
will go on to claim that it is rigged and then bring on the Arab Spring
here. Instigate the people that under Barisan Nasional, their votes were
stolen and they have to go out to the streets to reclaim their votes.
This will cause havoc and he won't care because his ambition overrides
all other considerations. And Pakatan doesn't care, too, because they
are on the same ride.

KLSE

Crude Oil

Save The Turtles

PLEASE DONATE BLOOD

We Are With You

BE AN ORGAN DONOR

Tegas, Adil dan Berhemah

CYBER POLICE CERTIFIED

Freedom with responsibility

PLANT A TREE

One big tree is the equivalent to 10 air conditioners

Tolerating intolerance

Intolerance is rampant at every level and in all age groups of the society, but it is more visible amongst the younger generation as our youth can be seen losing their altitude of patience over petty issues. We seriously need to think over it as what we are going to inculcate in them, which may help them seek success in future. Will it be tolerance or intolerance?

By Samra Arshad

International Conference "Expose War Crimes – Criminalise War"

“Wars increasingly involve the killings of innocent people and are therefore, abhorrent and criminal. Killings in war are as criminal as the killings within societies in times of peace. Since killings in peace time are subject to the domestic law of crime, killings in war must likewise be subject to the international law of crimes. This should be so irrespective of whether these killings in war are authorised or permitted by domestic laws.”